GT-R On the Way

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Get a first hand look at Nissan's sick ride. Video included.

By Tyrone Rodriguez

It all began as the GT-R Proto, now it's almost a reality.

Our friends at GT Channel will have an opportunity see the 2009 Nissan GT-R first hand a few days before Tokyo Motor Show and then again in Chiba. More and more news has trickled out and the latest bit of information is regarding individual trim levels and the actual model designation.

Purportedly using a chassis designation of CBA-R35, at least initially, the new GT-R will come in three trim levels: base, Black Edition (Black Bird, anyone?) and and Premium, all using the VR38DETT engine. It will be available in five colors, Titanium Gray, Dark Metal Blue, Super Black, Vibrant Red, Ultimate Metal Silver and White Pearl&#Array;the latter two colors being premium paints will cost extra. Interior colors will be limited to black and gray. However, the Black Edition will only be available with a black interior, appropriately so.

The Base model GT-R will reportedly come with chrome Rays forged wheels wrapped in Dunlop Sports tires . One of the base vehicle options includes a Tire and Wheel package; for some more cash you'll get Bridgestone Potenza tires with gunmetal Rays wheels (this option is only available on the Base as this is standard on the Black and Premium edition vehicles). Anti-Theft and Bose sound will be optional on the Base and Black edition, but standard on the Premium trim. SRS curtain airbags and side airbags will be optional on all three trims.

As reported earlier this summer, length and wheelbase on the new GT-R will be 4650mm and 2800mm; that's about 183-inches and 110-inches, respectively, for the mathematically-impaired. Always known for being a wideboy, the new GT-R has an overall width of 1350mm, again 53-inches, in case you don't want to do the math. For comparison's sake, the current G35 coupe (seeing a complete redesign this fall) has an overall length of 182-inches, a width of 71-inches and a wheelbase of 112-inches. So, the GT-R is a tiny bit longer than the G coupe with less overhang.

Sticking to the winning VQ family of engines, the GT-R will use a modified (forged-everything) 3.8L twin-turbo with the AWD six-speed transmission. Expect power to range from a minimum of 450 to almost 550 on the higher-end GT-R--yes, higher-end GT-R is a bit redundant. Curb weight on the 911 Turbo is around 3,500 lbs and it also produces a claimed 480 hp. That gives the German sports car a power-to-weight ratio of 7.1; we expect the GT-R will weigh in around the same as the 911.

There were rumors that Nissan was testing a seven-speed, but given that Nissan is attempting to price vehicle from $60,000 to $95,000 anything goes. Again, if Nissan plans on offering carbon brakes, what's another gear in the grand scheme of things?